With our fourth child just having celebrated his 3rd birthday I wanted to share yet another home birth story. This was by far my EASIEST home birth, and I would gladly repeat it again in a heartbeat! Interested to hear about my BEST home birth then keep reading for my successful home birth with baby #4, Asher.
Pre- Labor Signs
With Asher I was due on Father’s Day. However, like his older brothers he too chose to be a late baby. Considering this was the trend with my boys it didn’t bother me. On his due date we planned a fun Father’s Day party with all our kids. Even enjoying a friendly water balloon fight that yes, I did participate in!
A few weeks prior to my due date I did experience contractions in the night. They didn’t last more than an hour, so I was soon back to sleep.
Labor Begins with Baby #4
Almost a week after my due date, Sam and I were going about our typical morning routine with the kids when contractions started. I was OVER being huge and hot during the summer, so I was hoping this was the beginning of labor. We began tracking my contractions and by lunchtime we knew it was time. First, Sam called our Midwife as she was over an hour away. Then he also called his parents to see if they could take our two older kids ages 4 and 2 at the time so that way Sam could focus on me and our 13-month-old, Luc.
Labor was tolerable as it usually is for me until that last hour, so I went about packing bags for my older kids. Soon after my Father In Law came to pick up Olivia and Wyatt for a sleepover.
The Midwives Arrive for the Home Birth
After the kids left, I called my parents to let them know labor had started. They were planning to come help for a week after the baby was born. This allowed them time to start packing and head our way as they had an 8-hour drive ahead of them. I also bounced on my birthing ball and walked the halls hoping to speed things up. Our Midwife and her assistant showed up around 2p.m. Upon arrival they checked my progress which was at about 4 centimeters and made sure the baby’s heartbeat sounded good. From there they went about getting the room ready and setting out any supplies they would need.
For the next few hours, we chatted, and I went about doing what I could to progress labor. I walked around outside, sat backwards on the toilet, and bounced on my birthing ball. Unfortunately, sometime before dinner things came to a halt. Our Midwife suggested taking castor oil as this can help induce labor or in my case move things along. I was SO ready to have a baby I gladly agreed. Sam had to run to town as we didn’t have castor oil on hand. While he was gone, I ate dinner, went about caring for Luc and doing any household chores that needed to be done.
Delivery of Baby #4, Meeting Asher
When Sam came home, I made a smoothie with the castor oil, and this made it more bearable to drink. If you read about my home birth story with Baby #3 then you know I took castor oil and mixed it with chocolate milk to make it bearable. BIG mistake! A few hours went by as my system was cleaned out. Around 11p.m. our Midwife and her assistant went to our guest bedroom to get some rest. Sam, and I fell asleep watching TV.
Around 1p.m. I woke up with such strong contractions and got up to start pacing around the kitchen. I woke Sam up as well informing him it was time and he needed to wake up our Midwife. When he did everyone jumped into action and met in our bedroom. Our Midwife checked my progress and said I was 9.5 centimeters and could push when I was ready. I chose to stand during the labor and kept fighting the urge to push. At one point her assistant reminded me I could push. I informed her I was waiting for the buildup, and also hoping that by standing gravity would work with me.
With the next contractions I griped Sam’s hand and gave a push. This caused my water to break thus ruining some of the boot boxes Sam kept stored under our bed…oops! With the next push Asher was crowning. While the pain was SO intense I tried to focus on catching my breath and pushed one last time. With that he slid out. Sam came around side our Midwife to hold Asher while she helped me onto the bed. Once I was laying down, Sam laid him on me, and I got to meet my third son.
Postpartum Care after a Successful Home Birth with Baby #4
While lying on the bed our Midwife helped to massage my uterus while I birthed the placenta. From there Sam went to make me a steak with sweet potato fries on the side. When I asked him if he would make it for me, he replied, “Really you want that now? It’s 2a.m.” “Yep, I am starving,” I told him. He had also bought me a huge Hersey bar with almonds when he was out shopping for castor oil so I asked if he would bring that to me as well. Our Midwife cared for Asher. Cleaning him up, weighing him, checking his oxygen levels and other tests she needs to preform soon after birth. I was able to eat and get my energy up in order to walk to the rest room and clean myself up.
During this time Sam told me, “Hey your best friend showed up.” Huh I thought confused by his comment. But he laughed and said, “There is a mouse running around the living room.” GROSS! At the time of this home birth, we were living in an old house owned by Sam’s family. The house was SO sentimental to them they would hardly let us fix it up. There were water pipe issues, mice problems, and the list goes on. We had been fighting the mouse battle since moving in over 8 months prior. No matter how many we killed more still came. I was so happy holding my newborn baby I could care less about the critter joining in all the excitement. Soon after I was cared for, Asher latched, our room cleaned up, and we had gone over the first 24-hour postpartum information our Midwife and her assistant left.
Meeting Baby Brother after the Home Birth
Right after the birth none of the kids were able to meet Asher since it was the middle of the night. Luc had been asleep in another room during all the excitement, and Olivia and Wyatt were sleeping at my In Laws, so Sam and I were able to enjoy this special time with our newborn son.
The next morning by 6a.m. I had started to text family and friends that Asher had arrived. When Luc woke up, we introduced him to his new little brother whom he just smiled at and cuddled in bed with us. By lunch Olivia and Wyatt arrived and came rushing into our room to meet their new baby brother. I was able to eat lunch while my In Laws held the baby. After they left, we enjoyed our quiet evening being a new family of 6.
What I did Right after My Successful Home Birth with Baby #4
The first few days postpartum we were visited by our Midwife for a postpartum checkup. My In Laws came by to see if we needed anything and to visit the grandkids. My parents also came to help out for a week so Sam and I could rest and catch up on sleep. I had also learned by this point to take it easy the first few weeks and let others help us with the care of the kids and handle chores around the house.
During this time Sam and I also came down with the flu or some strange bug that stayed with us for a few days. I remember my whole body hurting so bad I could hardly walk. This was days after giving birth and was SO unlike my past postpartum experiences. Thankfully my parents took care of things so we could rest and heal, and thankfully none of the kids caught what we had.
For More Information on Home Births…
Curious to hear my other home birth stories? Or if you are looking for guidance on where to start with your own home birth? Check out the Home Birth page on the Blog.
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